MLB Player News

Albies (elbow) says he hopes to make his spring debut Tuesday, but the Braves will not rush his return to action, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The 20-year-old has been recovering from offseason elbow surgery this spring, but finally appears to be getting close to game action. Nonetheless, the Braves have exercised caution with their prized prospect and have little incentive to rush him back since Albies is almost certain to begin the year in the minors. Look for the young second baseman to get plenty of Grapefruit League at-bats before spring is over.

Forsythe (knee) is in the Dodgers' Cactus League lineup Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old recently received lubricant injections in his knee, and it looks like they helped. Forsythe, who hit 20 home runs last year, will lead off as he continues to compete for that role during the season. Winning it would raise his fantasy value in a deep, potentially dangerous lineup.

Albies (elbow) is set to be examined by team doctors in the coming days and could be cleared to play next week, David O'Brien of the AJC reports.

The Braves' prized prospect has been rehabbing from elbow surgery for the first few weeks of spring training, but it appears he could be nearing a return given that he'll be reevaluated in the near future with the possibility of being cleared shortly after the weekend. Still, his absence from the early portion of workouts and games coupled with Atlanta's recent acquisition of Brandon Phillips suggest that Albies is likely destined to start the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Polanco went 2-for-3 with a double and home run in Thursday's tie with Baltimore, but also made his third error of the spring. "He's trying to find ways to get it done and stay accurate," manager Paul Molitor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "It hasn't happened too much here early."

The Twins appear committed to beginning the season with Polanco at shortstop and there's been little talk of Eduardo Escobar challenging for the job. However, that could change if Polanco continues to struggle in the field as his glove has been the major concern about him playing shortstop instead of second base where he played at Triple-A.

Forsythe (knee) said he's lining up to start the Dodgers' Friday Cactus League contest, though he'll miss his third consecutive game Thursday after his last knee lubricant injection, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The new acquisition received a series of those doses, so he appears ready to go. It's still smart to monitor the 30-year-old's progress in the coming days and weeks, though the candidate for leadoff hitter looks like he'll be back in the mix. Forsythe would enjoy a notable bump in runs scored if he indeed sticks as the table-setter, which makes him an attractive mixed league value pick at the keystone.

Herrera said he's cleared to return to throwing activities, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Herrera played catch Monday but was scheduled to meet with Cincinnati's medical director Thursday. That presumably went well, considering his updated status. The former prospect should continue staking his claim to remain with the Reds when they break camp.

Rosario got the start at shortstop during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, going 2-for-3.

He's hitting a tidy .364 (4-for-11) to begin the spring, as Rosario looks to build on his breakout 2016 minor league campaign. The Mets' top prospect, and the No. 14 overall fantasy prospect in RotoWire's rankings, will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas and could easily make his big league debut as a 21-year-old at some point this year.

Elmore, a non-roster invitee, is a legitimate contender for an Opening Day roster spot, Corey Long of MLB.com reports.

Elmore's ability to play several different positions has been attractive to the Blue Jays' coaching staff this spring. Manager John Gibbons said there's a lot of value in players like Elmore, who can sit for extended periods and be ready to fill holes in the lineup on short notice. Over his five MLB seasons, Elmore has played all nine defensive positions and logged at-bats from every spot in the order. The versatile 29-year-old has tallied 257 plate appearances over his last two campaigns with Tampa and Milwaukee, but his offensive numbers are brutal. If added to the 25-man roster, Elmore will be a defensive choice and therefore lack fantasy value -- regardless of format.

Semien went 1-for-3 with two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-4 Cactus League victory over the Indians.

The slugging shortstop took a Mike Clevinger pitch deep to right field with Jed Lowrie aboard in the first, his first homer of the spring. Despite a drop in batting average and OBP over the previous year, Semien exploded for a career-high 27 doubles, 27 homers and 75 RBI last season, which led to .435 slugging and .735 OPS figures that also represented high-water marks. His homer Tuesday served as his second hit over three spring contests, while also generating his first pair of RBI.

Franklin went 2-for-2 with a double, walk and run in Monday's 7-2 Grapefruit League win over the Phillies.

The Rays' utility man extraordinaire was on base in all three of his plate appearances while hitting out of the two-hole Monday. Franklin backed up every infield position except third and also saw time at both corner outfield spots and DH last season, essentially rendering him indispensable. He'll look to build on his 2016 career-best line of .270/.328/.443 in the coming campaign, although the extent of his opportunity is difficult to gauge this early.